wfn.org | (LWF) *LWF Presents Itself* in Colorful Multi MediaPresentation

["Frank Imhoff" <FRANKI@elca.org>]

LWF Tenth Assembly, Winnipeg, Canada, 21-31 July 2003

PRESS RELEASE NO. 14

"LWF Presents Itself" in Colorful Multi Media Presentation
Work of the Federation Since '97 Hong Kong Assembly Highlighted

WINNIPEG, Canada, 23 July, 2003 - It may have been a relief for delegates
and visitors to the Tenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) to
turn from business and theological discussion and be entertained, inspired
and informed by a colorful multi media presentation highlighting the
Federation's accomplishments since its last Assembly in Hong Kong, China, six
years ago.  

The musical group Krystaal warmed up an appreciative audience, who were
ready to clap and sway for a change of pace.  Krystaal is comprised of
brothers who escaped from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1989, spent
many years in refugee camps in Kenya believing the others were dead, and then
reunited upon their emigration to Canada. They have released a CD and perform
frequently at public events across Western Canada. 

The Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, LWF General Secretary, introduced the program,
which was narrated by Danish journalist Niels Thure Krarup and Zimbabwean
journalist Diana Mavunduse.  

The 90-minute presentation, which featured dancers from many nations, live
music, narration in 12 languages, video and audio clips and group singing,
endeavored to account for what the LWF had accomplished in response to the
mandates handed down at the Hong Kong assembly.   

It provided snapshots of the LWF sponsored activities, actions and programs
of the past six years, including the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of
Justification, scholarship assistance for theological education in pooer
nations, and the actions of churches to end violence against women.  

While the entertainment and information provided an essential review of the
six years since the Hong Kong assembly, Pauli Rantanen, Director of the
Office for Finance and Administration, sounded a note for the future by
pointing to the LWF Endowment Fund.  

Following the general presentation "LWF Presents Itself," the assembly broke
up into interest groups organized around the LWF departments and offices. 

The Tenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is taking place
21-31 July 2003 in Winnipeg, Canada, under the theme "For the Healing of the
World." It is being hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
(ELCIC).

There are almost 700 men, women and youth participants in the Tenth Assembly
including 356 delegates from the 133 churches with full membership and three
associate members. The Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the
LWF, and meets normally every six years. Between Assemblies, the LWF is
governed by its Council that meets annually, and by its Executive Committee.

Further information including photos, video and audio news, is posted on the
Assembly Web site www.lwf-assembly.org 

To order photographs, please contact LWF-Photo@lutheranworld.org 

*	*	*

The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now has 136 member
churches in 76 countries representing over 61.7 million of the 65.4 million
Lutherans worldwide. 

The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest
such as ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology, humanitarian
assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission
and development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.